For those of us who grew up watching cable television in the early nineties, Baba Sehgal needs no introduction. While the glory days of Indi-pop music may well be behind us, the cluster of fans waiting eagerly for autographs and pictures with the ‘King of Rap', speak for his enduring popularity if not as a rapper, as a playback singer who has churned out many hit Telugu and Tamil songs.
This time round, Baba Sehgal was in the city not to record or perform but to interact with attendees of the Rachnoutsav Celebrity Coffee Morning Workshop. The workshop was organised by the Rachnoutsav Events Academy to give students and future event management professionals a preview into the music and performance industry.
His was the first of three sessions of the Celebrity ‘Coffee Morning' Workshop, all of which are being held at 7:30 in the evening on the Rachnaoutsav Events Academy campus.
Having recorded innumerable songs in Telugu films, Baba Sehgal is no stranger to Hyderabad which he calls his second home.
“I've been coming to Hyderabad for many years on work and have tons of very good friends here,” he says.
It is for these reasons that he chose Hyderabad as the location for the main campus of the Baba Sehgal Academy of Hip-Hop, a school completely devoted to the teaching of the 4-pillars of hip-hop – rapping, DJing, break-dancing and graffiti. The academy which is open to ‘people of all ages who are passionate and creative' has already opened branches in Ludhiana and has over 500 applicants, informs the experienced rapper.
“The Hip-hop movement is one of respect. It started in the Bronx, New York, as an expression of protest by the African-American and Hispanic communities that lived there,” he informs, and goes on to mention that similarly, his music is inspired by his personal experiences.
Apart from this Baba Sehgal has just recently recorded a song for ‘Love Language' by RR Films and has also recorded for a Mahesh Babu-starrer. However, what he is most excited about is the release of his latest single, Mumbai City – a dark number which captures the mood and flavour of Mumbai's underbelly. Ask whether, like his first song Dil Dhadke , Mumbai City too will start a new trend in Indian music, the star says the song certainly has the music, attitude and style that will leave a mark on audiences.
